Calling All Closet Poets…

Poetry by Jennifer Brown Banks and Gail Merriwether

April not only brings us the celebration of Easter, it ushers in the celebration of National Poetry Month.  An annual celebration that honors a beautiful art form that dates back to biblical times.  National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Each year, schools, libraries, museums and arts organizations provide an array of activities to increase awareness and foster appreciation of poetry in its myriad forms. Whether you're keen on Keats, love Barrett-Browning's passion, or dig the vibrancy of spoken word, National Poetry Month is a great time to explore, revisit, celebrate and create poetry.

With this in mind, here are a few selections written by Chicago poets to hopefully inspire you to share some of your own.

 

A TRIBUTE TO SINGER JILL SCOTT

U

Make notes

Gloat

Each time

You release them

Into

The Universe

Proud to be

The medium

By which you move so many—

Privileged

For their part,

In the joy you create.

© 2006 Jennifer Brown Banks

COLOR HER MOTHER

A

scapegoat

A safety net

A cheerleader

A molder

A bruise-kisser

A hand-holder,

The author of childhood tales

With many happy endings

Roots,

Wings,

And countless lovely things

Sometimes spent

Heaven sent

Like no other,

Yours,

Mine,

Mothers

(c) 2017 Jennifer Brown Banks

THE GETAWAY

Down glistening trash-strewn alleys, I'm dead on his heels This thief caught in the act. Pounding through the gangways— I'm losing ground Reaching the open street, I'm alone. He has fled in a direction unknown.

I catch my breath near bystanders who gaze with suspicious eyes The cliche' falls from my lips; "Which way did he go?"

The nearest man appraises my badge, uniform, and spats a frothy wad at my feet followed by a smirk and a hard silence broken by the tittering of his peers in whose eyes he's grown.

I'd like to smirk in reply only I just turn and go sighing because I know it's simply a matter of time

before the very one who got away

returns to pick clean his saviors

oblivious to their aid.

(c) 2012 Gail Merriwether

AT THE BAR

Cops,

Count their divorces

Over glasses raised in toasts;

Recount death in its myriad forms;

Compare surgical scars in a show of bravado and vanity;

Express hope

And doubt

About their futures;

Stay up late

Avoiding their own dreams.

(c) 2012 Gail Merriwether

Image credits: https://Pixabay.com/